Zanzibar Island Shopping – Shops, Stores, Best Buys & Inside Tips

Zanzibar Shopping Tips

No matter your budget, you’re sure to find wonderful items to purchase in Zanzibar.

Stone Town

There are plenty of bazaars in the narrow roads of Stone Town where you can bargain for a good price. These shops offer all manner of local crafts such as statues, batik, chess sets, masks, and other souvenir items. Authentic Zanzibari souvenirs include jewel boxe, incense, and spices

There is a special curio shop at the top of Kenyatta Road just past the Post Office, on the left hand side in front of Shangani Hotel. Eco Echo is a fair trade shop, and it’s the perfect place to buy affordable and authentic Tanzanian gifts for family and friends. The majority, if not all, of the items come from Tanzania Women’s Co-ops, and the best part is that a percentage of each shilling spent at Eco Echo benefits local communities, allowing them to improve water supplies and education and to develop their communities. Eco Echo stocks Exotic Zanzibar massage oils made from freshly crushed flowers, herbs, and spices. Colorful Masai bead bracelets and earrings, woven hand bags, beaded sandals and luxury kikoi bath robes and towels are also available. You can find more curio shops outside of Stone Town along the beach or near the hotels.

Department Store

There’s a small shop located in the middle of the residential part of Nungwi Village that locals call the “department store.” It carries everything from toiletries to paper goods and groceries. The postcards here are the cheapest (the gift shop at Anman has a smaller selection and higher prices) and the store keeper is extremely friendly.

Airport Shops

Surprisingly, the shops at the airport have a good variety of items at great prices. They sell everything from kangas to vanilla pods and you can find local crafts, spices, soaps, oils, textiles. and more.

Editor’s note: The information contained on this page was compiled using real traveler reviews about shopping in Zanzibar.